I can remember when I was 11 years old, my parents took me to a pizza place called Shakey’s. I used to sit and watch the aquarium they had in the middle of the place. But when I was 11, the shack decided to install televisions and a machine or jukebox if you will. You put in your money and a video would play on the tvs around the place. I can remember vividly a kid putting in the money and as I watched the fish I heard his voice for the very first time.
Heavy D.
Back then, he was in a group called “Heavy D. and the Boyz.” The song was “Mr. Big Stuff”. I was completely enamored from there on out. He was pretty cool and despite his size very very bouncy and agile. He danced just as much as the dancers in the video. It was pretty awesome to this “big for her age in all meaning of the expression 11 year old.” I was pretty much a fan from that point on. When I received my allowance, I BEGGED my mom to take me to the music store, Waxie Maxie’s (back when they HAD music stores in Maryland), and I purchased a cassette called “Living Large” – the group’s first album. I was overjoyed, mainly because there was no explicit lyrics sticker. Because my folks didn’t let me listen to a lot of rap, much less rap that had that sticker. It was poison to them. So imagine my parents’ surprise when this tape could be played IN FRONT OF THEM. And he was clean.
From jump, I was always a Heavy D fan. I bought his second cassette, Big Tyme, which I believe was his breakout album. The songs, “Somebody for Me,” “We Got our Own Thing,” and “More Bounce”..well hell, the whole damn album was just full of fun songs about love, hanging with friends, and enjoying life. It was a tape I wore out listening to. I was delighted with glee to see him become more popular and even appear on “A Different World”. He and the Boyz came out at a time right before rap changed, and some may say for the worse really. He stayed true to his art and he was still clean cut and very humble, something rappers know nothing about for the most part. There was no turning back for him. He could also slide in some reggae and dancehall with his lyrical delivery. Trust me, he was the man. Absolutely.
Peaceful Journey, his third album, left us with a retrospective and thought provoking Heavy. One of the Boyz, Trouble T Roy, accidentally died due to a fall, and this album was a dedication to him. He questioned life, God, his family, all while throwing in songs that dealt with love and of course his size. He even challenged rappers with the song, “Don’t Curse.” But it was the title track that still, to this day, brings a tear. Using background vocals by Jodeci for the chorus, he rhymed about his dear friend who left way too soon and how he would see him again. If you all don’t know of that song, I absolutely suggest you look it up. It’s a tear jerker. And a nice sample provided by the Jacksons on top made this song a classic standout.There was another hit, “You Can’t See What I Can See” which is one of my FAVORITES of all time of his, brought about a harder edge. It didn’t even make the album.. but it was a hint of what was to come. He sampled Public Enemy and he was essentially mad at rappers who gave HIM flack for not being…well.. mean enough. That was his answer. It was a great answer, indeed.
Blue Funk. I never could understand why people hated this album. I even loved the cover (maybe it was a precursor to my love for design). The beats were harder and any fan could tell his vocal delivery was a bit bitter. But he was still Heavy. Beatwise this was one of my favorites, hands down. “Truthful” “Blue Funk”, and “Who’s the Man?” were my favorites. My guestimation? He was tired of people thinking he wasn’t a hard enough rapper because everyone else had to throw in degrading lyrics to sell albums. He still got his point across without losing any respect from the fans. Still gets played on my ipod.
The pinacle of the success of Heavy came in the album, “Nuthin’ but Love.” God that was a great album. He regrouped and released a bevy of hits. The samples were on point, and he returned to his fun self. His biggest hit, Black Coffee, was a dedication of his love to Black women everywhere. Every song on this album is truly wonderful. I could go on and on with talking about it. But out of alllllllll of his works, this one is a true gem from start to finish. NO FILLER WHATSOEVER.
After that album’s success, of course the group takes a “break” (i.e. Heavy goes solo) and he never quite garnered the same amount of success as he had with the Boyz. In fact his FIRST solo album (with more albums after that) was called Waterbed Heav. I still laugh at that title. Really Heavy? He thought a lot of himself there. But I digress.
Why did I go into a retrospective of Heavy D’s albums? Because he passed away today. I am still saddened by this. He meant a lot to me as a music fan. He was positive, he didn’t disrespect, he pulled his pants up, well spoken, humble, loveable, and had quite the pair of dancing feet. He was proof positive that you didn’t have to change your style to sell albums. And you can be just as popular being yourself and respecting others unlike many rappers who were just immature. I will miss Heavy D dearly. And if I ever have kids one day, rest assured, they will know who he is, and I hope they love him… as much as their mom (that’d be me) does… and always will.
Thanks Heav. Nuthin’ but love for you.
“Not fred flinstone, but i’ll make your bed rock.” Goddamn I love this song.
Tightest beat.. EVER.
Dude could dance…
“All I really need and a bag of blue funk…”
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